19 orphans too many - Josie Du Toit (Co- Director / Rehabilitator)

Apologies for the late edition but we promise you it will be bumper packed with lots of pics of orphans with their foster mums in troops taken by VMF staff Matthew Akister & Laura Lupton.

This season we took in 19 orphans, sadly that means19 mums have been killed in the wild. The good news is 16 of the 19 orphans are already living their lives with loving foster mums in troops. This year the Dino & Daniel, Goliath and Gismo Troops have all adopted orphans. Recent arrival Cuddy whose mum was killed by a car is a head trauma patient and is being cared for around the clock. Orphan Stitch has an injury to his head and is currently out for treament but he will return back with foster mum Phylis when he has recovered.

With thanks to Sue Ettmayr, (a local resident and journalist in Tzaneen) orphan Karen was found. Sue saw Karen's mum die, she was suspected to have been killed by a snake. Karen was lucky as Sue watches the troop daily and so she was able to be released back with her troop after checking her health and monitoring her. Karen was old enough to survive without her mum's milk and the rest of the group were seen to be taking care of her.

The first introduction cages are going up on the new Holt & Barrington enclosure, it's not been easy to complete with so many orphans coming in for half of the year but we are now looking forward to the first monkeys moving in soon. The first to move will be Skunkey E & F Priscilla, Hocus, Millie, Percy, Apollo, Yoshi & Luxi.

For all those of you who helped, donated, participated or volunteered in 2014, thank you for making a difference, the 2014 VMF Annual report can be read here:

The VMF has sooo many plans to help the monkeys this year but we can only do it with the help of yourselves and more volunteers so please do spread the word. We saw the return of volunteers Frédérique Lavanant, Rachel Eckensviller, Ella Grundstad and Indrani Schelling in the last months who have been a great help. We also welcome back Camilla Sheaves and Lloyd Glater who have taken on long term voluntary staff roles.

We had the pleasure of a visit from Kevin & Sheryl Minnett from photographers without borders a few months ago, they took some stunning photos of the monkeys, a few can be seen below....

Photo taken by Kevin & Sheryl Minett from photographers without borders

A great place for VMF volunteers and friends to get together for a great night out whilst raising funds for the monkeys at the same time.

Everyone over the age of 18 yrs welcome (you don't have to have been to VMF before)

The more tickets sold, the more funds raised. Why not make a weekend of it in Ireland? Dave (VMF Co-Founder / Director) & Josie (VMF Co-Director / Rehabilitator) will be attending and would love to meet up with some of you for dinner on the Friday night too.

If you need help looking for flights or accommodation you can also contact previous Irish volunteer Mark Ashcroft mark_ashcroft@hotmail.com

Volunteers Luisa & Jill making their own comedy at VMF!

Welcome to our new voluntary staff members

Camilla Sheaves - VMF Volunteer Co-ordinator
After an unbearably long five years of struggling through my undergrad, I have finally returned to the Vervet Monkey Foundation. And this time for good. Although I enjoyed my degree in English and Scottish Literature, my dream has always been to care for animals (an unorthodox combination I know). Needless to say it is definitely the intelligence, charm and cheek of these amazing monkeys that has captured my heart. (I thoroughly enjoyed being reunited with monkeys like Highbrow, and Frenchie who were all struggling when I was last here and are now doing much better.)

I will be doing a variety of things at the VMF and have taken on the role of Volunteer Co-ordinator and Bottom Section primate carer. I am excited to get to know all of the bottom section monkeys again, and hopefully see a few of them into the new H&B troop enclosure. It will also be really interesting to manage the ‘behind the scenes’ of the foundation. Learning how to organise a group of volunteers with different strengths and interests will certainly be a challenge but I am sure that it will add to the fun of getting to know everyone.

Come September I will also be starting an online Masters in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law and hope this will slot in nicely with the work I am doing here.

Meg Livingston - VMF Vet Nurse

My name is Meg Livingston from Austin, Texas. I worked at a busy 24 hour emergency animal hospital in Austin where I gained knowledge and skills as a vet nurse. After learning about the VMF, I knew I wanted to experience what it was like to work with the vervets here at the foundation and have already been involved with cases such as orphan Lancelot with head trauma, Sheldon's complicated elbow fracture, a vasectomy, Stitche's head wound and taking care of meds for any patients in sickbay.

We look forward to working with Camilla and Meg this year....

Camilla Volunteer Co-ordinator attending one of the lesson plans in schools

Foster Mums D&D, Gismo - Laura Lupton (Baby mum)

In February, orphan Lancelot arrived as a result of the VMF education programme. In January, the VMF saw a visit from a home school group where they were educated by VMF staff Rentia and Matt. They were given a guided tour around the sanctuary. Whilst Rentia and Josie were in the mall, a child from the home school group recognised Rentia and told her they found a baby monkey. Just after, the child's mum approached Josie and said she recognised her from the tour and informed her they have a baby vervet monkey in the car. The child saw the baby on the road with his mum who had been killed by a car and said how they must take him to the monkey sanctuary that they visited. Josie & Rentia collected Lancelot and took him back to the VMF where he was immediately treated and cared for. Lancelot's first few days with us were difficult, he was very lethargic, had no balance and was unable to move around much along with having seizures. He was given special care and treatment away from the other babies for a while to help him recover. He slowly started to regain some balance and started wanting to climb, so he was in a small cage to start with so if he fell it wouldn’t be far, and as he started moving around more he got much better at climbing and jumping so he could finally have the run of Disneyland and start to play with another orphan Stitch. He was eating very well from the start and so learnt to go in the feeding cage very quickly to get food but being older has taken a while to learn to drink properly from a bottle. After meeting many of the monkeys in Gismo troop and being looked after by adult ex-pet female Ricky, he is now fully integrated into Gismo Troop and his foster mum is Orchid who is the alpha female's (Pointy's) foster daughter from a few years ago.

Orphan Pumpkin's mum was shot by a farmer, luckily a volunteer saw Pumpkin at the local lodge with someone holding her and a confiscation was made as people had kept her illegally for 2 months instead of handing her in to a rehabilitation centre. The end of her tail was burnt where she had apparently fell in some hot oil in their house so we treated her tail which is now all healed. Pumpkin initially bonded to Ricky in the cage but since going out has been carried around by almost every female in the troop. They both spend most of the day playing with everyone and being the centre of attention for all the very maternal females.

Orphan Sheldon arrived at the end of December, his mum had been killed by a car. He was around 8 weeks old on arrival and so he knew his troop and family and suffered an even greater loss and trauma. He had a complicated elbow fracture on his right arm and after numerous x-rays, it was decided to operate on such a small elbow. This was a delicate surgery on such a small orphan with an unusual fracture but Dr Sampi at Phalaborwa vets did the perfect job and Sheldon is now able to use his arm. He wasn't happy to stay with his carers and was very happy when he could finally go into an introduction cage to meet some of the GIsmo troop family. Sheldon and Eva immediately bonded and it was clear that Eva was to be his foster mum. Both Sheldon and Pumpkin went out into GIsmo troop with their many juvenile playmate orphans from previous years. After only 3 days of integration. Sheldon ran to foster mum Eva, she picked him up and carried him out into the troop as if he had been part of the troop forever. Now you can hardly tell that Sheldon had a fracture.

If you would like to adopt the Gismo Troop to see how the orphans progress or to read about the other monkeys in the troop, please e-mail josie@vervet.za.org see more info about adoptions further in this newsletter.

Lancelot's real mum was killed by a car, now he's with foster mum Orchid

Pumpkin's mum was shot by a farmer, now loved by Uh-oh & all in Gismo Troop

Sheldon had an elbow fracture when hit by a car, Right - sleeping with Schnapps

Dino & Daniel orphans
Orphan Cotton arrived in mid February at around 3 months old. She was confiscated from people trying to take her into Kruger park to release her with monkeys (which would have ended in disaster as it's not only illegal but monkeys are territorial and cannot just be released individually without her own troop). She was brought to the VMF the next day. She took a while to settle in and was very stressed on arrival. She was eating food and learnt to go in the feeding cage following Lancelot, but does not like her baby milk formula much so it was a mission to feed her so dedicated volunteers were allocated to feed her - Laura, Sophie, Andrea, Vanessa, Ella, Hayley & Anne. Cotton was initially very scared of the monkeys but that all changed as she met alpha female Precious of Dino & Daniel Troop when she started to groom her through the fence. Cotton along with another orphan called Crumpet (who was taken illegally as a pet) went out into Dino & Daniel enclosure together. Cotton's foster mum is now Malandro and Crumpet's foster mum is Precious.

Orphan Stitch (whose mum was killed by dogs) has done a lot of growing up in the last few months and he liked his milk so much that he learnt to use the feeding cage very fast. He was also very confident with monkeys when he met them through the fence, approaching them all and allowing them to groom him. He was introduced to foster mums Phyllis and Honeybear with orphans Diddy Kong and Chester (who are now all in D&D troop). Phyllis has been very persistent as soon as she got hold of Stitch, she spent a lot of time grooming him and trying to carry him around, and after a couple of days Stitch finally worked out how to hold on properly and she can now carry him around as if he were her own, she absolutely adores him. Recently, Stitch had as etback as he managed to get an injury to his head and is being treated in sickbay, Phylis is an excellent foster mum and looks like she realises we are trying to help him. We hope he can be introduced to Dino & Daniel troop shortly with his patient foster mum Phylis.

Dave has put up a live webcam at Dino & Daniel enclosure so you may be lucky enough to see the orphans with their foster mums at feeding time.

Goliath orphans
In the 2014/15 Goliath troop was the main troop used for the foster mum programme, with eight orphans being integrated. Experienced foster mums Schlinky and Halo were again paired up in the introduction cage to adopt whichever of the eight they choose.

Halo adopted fluffy male Gandalf, the first baby to arrive last November, whilst Schlinky adopted Digit and Pippin, the youngest two of the group. After meeting most of the troop the first three were released; Smoky, Keegie and Piglet. All three were instant hits with the Goliath females and barely touched the ground for the first few weeks except to feed from the feeding cages. Keegie was adopted by young female Yma, who had last year also adopted Amy (who is now one year old) who was extremely happy to babysit Keegie. Piglet was adopted by Mandy, another experienced foster mum and Smoky was adopted by Mrs Gold. Digit, Pippin and Gandalf were next to be released with their foster mums Halo and Schlinky. After the release it became a common sight in Goliath to see the pair with their three babies being followed by a small army of babysitters.

Nollie and Waffles were the last to be released a few days later and soon joined the group following Halo and Schlinky, getting all the attention from the babysitters, especially KB, Dad, Mrs Gold (who like Schlinky was not satisfied with just 1 baby) and Wilma.

If you would like to adopt DIno & Daniel Troop or the Goliath Troop to see how the orphans progress or to read about the other monkeys in the troop, please e-mail josie@vervet.za.orgsee more info below.A big thank you to Laura, Matt, Ella and all the rest of the staff and volunteers who have helped raise and integrate these orphans into troops. It's been a lot of long hours but worth it.

Updates and photos will be sent on the troop every 6 months including any new integrations of monkeys into the group, how the orphans are progressing and the troop in general.

The cost per year for one of these adoptions is R800 (approx $75, £45, 55 Euros at the current exchange rate) plus postage and packing dependant on country.

You will receive in an adoption folder:

An adoption certificate (we can put in someone elses name if you would like to give it as a gift)

A fridge magnet

3 A4 colour photo collages of troop members and orphans

A VMF poster

A postcard

History 6-10 page document of the history of the troop

In 6 months time you will receive photo updates and story updates by e-mail

Option of continuing the adoption for another year

If you are interested in adopting a troop of monkeys, please e-mail josie@vervet.za.org All the funding received from these adoptions goes directly towards helping more monkeys and maintaining their enclosures and food.

Primate Vet course & Sepela Field Courses

Primate Theoretical practice course - (in Spanish) hosted at VMF

For the second year running there will be a Primate Theoretical practice course hosted at VMF by experienced VMF veterinarians Dr. Héctor Sanz Cabañes & Dr Ana Navarro who specialise in wildlife, conservation and anaesthesia.

They are coming all the way from Spain from 14th August - 3rd September 2015 to teach the following subjects:.

- African Biodiversity

- Wild fauna in captivity

- Biological conservation

- Biology of the vervet

- Trapping and utilities

- Localisation and methods

- Anaesthesia & Surgery.

Please note this particular course will be in Spanish. The cost of the course is 1500 Euros and aids surgical work such as vasectomies and treatments at the Vervet Monkey Foundation. If you are interested please contact hesaca@hotmail.com directly.

Sepela Field courses (in English)

The Sepela Field Courses are directed by Dr Brandi Wren who is a biological anthropologist. who has been teaching field courses in primatology since 2007. The deadlines are soon to enrol for these courses so don't miss out.

Sepela are running the following courses in English for 2015 in South Africa:

- Field Primatology 20th June - 12th July

- Field photography 19th July - 9th August

- Primate Veterinary Care 24th July - 13th August (Veterinarian Dr. Héctor Sanz Cabañes will be the instructor on this course and there will be some work at the VMF) . Suitable for vet students, vet nurses, technicians or animal carers.

Short updates - Josie Du Toit (Co-Director / Rehabilitator)

Geriatrics - Since last year, we sadly lost the following geriatrics: Frog (Camelot / Sickbay), Mary (Gismo Troop) & Rufus (Engeltjie Troop). Thank you to all those who cared for them over the years, they are gone but never forgotten

1 yr old Buffy arrived from another centre, she had been kept in human hands for a year. After her initial quarantine period, she has now started integrations into the Skrow Troop. So far Louise seems to be quite interested and affectionate towards her and the other females are calm and tolerant.

Adult male Prince arrived from the same centre as Buffy, also having been kept in human hands for too long.
Prince can often be seen sucking his fingers like a baby. After his quarantine period, it seemed only natural that he would join Princess at Dino & Daniel Troop. The two of them were indifferent to each other to begin with but have since been observed grooming.

Adult female Shortie has been moved to a new double cage. Matt & Alex are attempting to integrate her into Goliath Troop, she was nervous of the females in the alpha's (Hartley's) prescence to begin with but is slowly becoming more confident with monkeys entering her cage.

Ex-pet Lalie suffered a serious wound to her leg from a monkey in SAAV troop through the fence. Tragically, the wound resulted in amputation of her leg but she made a great recovery and has now been moved to the side of Koko enclosure and having lots of daily attention. She gets around with no problems and is able to climb trees. Adult ex-pets dependant on history are more difficult to integrate into social groups. Lalie's incident reminds us to infrom the public that no primate should be kept as a pet and if one is found, it should be taken to a rehabilitation centre immediately to enable it to have a chance of a natural life and socialise with it's own kind.

A geriatric female Samango monkey arrived this month in a very poor condition, she had been found at Magoebaskloof caught by a dog. During examination she was found to be very thin, very cold, poor teeth and had an infection in the pleura cavity, sadly she passed away the same day despite veterinary advice. She was probably caught by the dogs due to her being very sick and weak which slowed her down.

Ex-per Buffy hugging Louise from Skrow Troop

Rest in peace Frog from Camelot & Sickbay area

Rest in peace Mary from Gismo Troop & Rufus from Enge;tjie Troop

Volunteers - would you like to return or know someone who would like to volunteer?

More volunteers are needed all year round to help for this busy year ahead. The VMF relies on volunteers to help with the daily care of the monkeys as well as to help contribute to ensure there is always enough food, medical supplies, enclosures, education and campaigns taking place. People may wish to return to help during the following time periods this year:

End June / July – VMF campaign in local malls, yard sale & guided tour weekend

August – English Primate Vet Course with Sepela & Spanish Primate theoretical & practical course hosted at VMF. Vasectomies will be carried out on non-releasable males as well as a possible parasitology research during this time.

H&B enclosure integrations will be taking place this year.

Royal enclosure - a new Royal enclosure will be started.

Nov – Feb – orphan season (Dec / Jan is the time when the babies need hands on 24hr care),

Jan – March is when babies are introduced to monkey foster mums and go out into troops for the first time.

Outside of these times there is always plenty to do and help with, there are integrations of monkeys into social groups all year round, construction of enclosures, enrichment, feeding, preparing baby milks, observations, assisting in the sickbay area and more.

SPECIAL OFFERS - from April to Dec 2015

Internships with a university - we are currently offering 15% off the volunteering fee for all internships for 2015 from a min of 4 weeks if you quote the code VMF STUDENT 2015 in your e-mail.

Friends or family of previous volunteers - we are currently offering 10% off the volunteering fee to all friends of previous volunteers for 2015. The volunteer must state the friend's name in their e-mail to get the 10% or you can contact us on behalf of your friend.

Vegfest Bristol, UK attendees - we are offering 25% off to any volunteer who signs up at the VMF stand at Vegfest Bristol, UK this year on 23rd & 24th May.

Can you display 5 posters at different locations for the VMF? If you can and send us 5 photos of the locations with the names of places they are displayed we will e-mail you a pic of a monkey you choose at the VMF in return. Please e-mail josie@vervet.za.org if you would like us to e-mail you a poster or a copy of the volunteer leaflet, they are currently available in English, French or German.

Can you display 5 volunteer posters in return for a photo of a monkey?

Twyla Dresler Voluntary Vet nurse Goodbye - Twyla Dresler

My name is Twyla Dresler and I'm originally from Canada. I decided to come to the Vervet Monkey Foundation for a break and try something new. I've been at the VMF for 2 years as the on site Voluntary Vet Nurse and it's been such an amazing experience, I wouldn't change any of it. The vervet monkeys are amazing creatures and very interesting to learn about. The living conditions have been great and the vegan meals have been amazing. Before coming to the foundation I didn't know how much stuff you can do with vegan products and knowing that you can get all the nutrients you need. I'll be going to keep it up when back home in Canada. I feel better and have more energy since being leading a vegan lifestyle.

I've met a lot of people from all over the world at the foundation and it's been amazing to hear their culture and their stories. I became good friends with most of them and had a great time working with them on the foundation and spending time with them after work and touring around South Africa.

Overall I'm really happy I decided to come to the foundation to help the monkeys and I'm sad to be leaving but I know I'll be back in the future.

Cheers and miss you guys.

A big thank you to Twyla Dresler who was a dedicated member of the VMF team and cared about every individual as if they were all as special as each other.See you again soon Twyla and THANKS :-)

Twyla recovering Sheldon after his elbow operation at the vets

Ethical organisations supporting the VMF

Buddha Beauty

Buddha Beauty are supporting the VMF, they are giving 20% to the monkeys if you order using the link below and type in the VMF code VM1010. All their range is cruelty free, palm oil free, vegan, natural, organic and smells amazing. You can buy mango body butter, facial scrubs, face masks, foot creams, massage soy wax candles and more, they also make great ethical gifts for others.

Living naturally in UK make soap nuts and are offering a 10% off if you enter the VMF discount codeVMF0614. They will also give an additional 10% to the VMF. Soap nuts are the most natural, organic laundry detergent soap and cleaner available on the planet. Also suitable for allergy sufferers and 100% vegan.

Jacaranda Jewels
was started by French VMF volunteer Emilie Aertgeets, beautiful natural jewellery can be bought here, 100% vegan and cruelty free using natural items and seeds. Emilie is kindly donating 15% from every sale to the Vervet Monkey Foundation if you type in the VMF code DUBLIN. Please share. www.jacarandajewels.com

If you would like to donate, please click on the link below. you can also choose a monthly option. Alternatively you may like to donate something from our wish list. Please e-mail josie@vervet.za.org for our current wish list.